If there’s one good thing about being a young mom, it’s
having a rather close age gap with my daughter. I’m almost at my mid-30’s and
Mika’s 16. So I pretty much still dig her likes and dislikes as much as she
digs mine.

But when we entered the premier Philippine outlet of Forever
21 at SM megamall last July 2010, we were like opposite poles. To her it was
love at first sight. For me, the feeling was like eating sushi for the first
time. I didn’t really like all their stuff that much. Tried a second time and realized
they were not at all that bad. By the time I reached the third, I’ve already
acquired the taste.

Frankly, I was at a loss when we first got in to Forever 21.
Never knowing where to begin as the place was so huge; I just tagged along with
Mika. Where she went I simply followed.
As we frequented the shop, I’ve observed that she has eventually devised
a system. Initially, she would take me to the accessories corner, then to the
shoe section, and finally through the apparels.

While she’s rummaging rack after rack of merchandise,
sometimes I would pretend that I was also checking them out. She didn’t know that
I was actually trying to figure out her shopping strategies because most often
than not, she unearths the most fabulous finds.

These are my 2 major
observations:

Strategy 1. DIG IN

When Mika digs in, she really means it. In order for her to find
super nice yet budget-friendly pieces, she meticulously eyes each rack. Whenever
luck finds her, she even comes across some remarkably discounted ones concealed
among regular-priced items. Sections of
clothes, accessories, and shoes cover vast areas so going through all these can
take hours up to an entire day. Having said so, I see to it that I don’t have
any other appointments/errands whenever I accompany Mika. Wearing flip flops or
comfortable flats also help keep me going.

Strategy 2. GRAB A
BLACK BAG

Mika never fails to grab one or two of those big black
shopping bags at the entrance. Once she finds something she likes, she dumps it
in the bag a.s.a.p. I remember her deliberating on a pair of mint green
sneakers. I told her to return them to the rack because we can always come back
for them later on, anyway. She explained that if she does, there’s 90% chances
that they would no longer be there by the time she makes a decision. No matter
what she said, I still insisted so she very hesitantly conceded. A while after, we indeed went back to where we
left the pair of sneakers and true enough they were no longer there. She gave
me a smug “I told you so” look signaling me that I lost my case. So I waved a little
white flag, mustered a smile, and said, “Maybe it was not just for you”. I felt
another piercing stare.

I found myself going back to Forever 21 to see if I could
replicate Mika’s techniques. Strategy 1 was a success! At the back most part of
one of the accessory racks, I noticed gold-toned earrings for only Php95. On a separate occasion, I found a peplum shirt
with red belt hanging on an inconspicuous corner for only Php407.

Dangling gold-toned earrings (Php95)

Black & white striped sleeveless peplum shirt with red belt
(Php407)

I've tried Strategy 2, as well. Placed everything I thought was
nice inside the black bag but ended up buying them all. Totally regretted spending
more than I should and promised myself I will never shop like there’s no
tomorrow ever again. It would be best if I just stick to Strategy 1.

The most important thing I realized, though, was shopping all
alone was not as much fun as when my shopping partner’s around. No matter how
crazy a shopper Mika might be or how my purse feels light as a feather after
she literally shops until she drops, I wouldn’t bargain my time with her for
anything in the world. Being a teenager comes only once so I might as well let
her enjoy her moment while it lasts and somehow let her feel she’s forever
young at Forever 21.

Minette, my Singapore-based sister-in-law, messaged me
through Facebook last January with exciting news.She came across a shop within
Far East Plaza Orchard Road, selling genuine Tory Burch at discounted rates. Apparently,
the owner could no longer pay for the franchise fee and had to shut down.
Otherwise, she could be penalized much worse imprisoned. Thus, all merchandise
should be disposed immediately. I honestly felt sorry for the owner but then
who would walk away from a really good deal?

Without further ado, I impulsively asked Minette to purchase
a pair for me - black Revas with the signature gold medallion. Knowing how I
adore Tory Burch, she gladly indulged my whim and also said that I could pay
her up later on. Afterwards, something
dawned on me and I shuddered! How could I forget checking for legitimacy BEFORE
the purchase?

Minette mentioned that the shoes were authentic as they can
be. Singapore has ultra-stiff rule against counterfeits and posers. As the country is rather small, shops
possessing such items could be easily spotted and penalized by authorities.

However, her reassurance was not enough to soothe me. I immediately
read articles about assessing Tory Burch authenticity then made up my own
checklist. Here are points I asked her to inspect:

The Tory Burch
Reva Authenticity Test

1. The Box

-Tory Burch emblem is at the center and measures 4 inches in
diameter: CHECK

-No messy ink splatters and bleeding: CHECK

-The style, code/color, description,
size, suggested retail price, shoe image and barcode are printed on a sticker located
at the side of the box: CHECK

Note: The box is
also made of hard and very sturdy board. Not like the regular cardboard box we
usually get from local departments stores and flea markets.

2. The Medallion

-The medallion color is gold NOT bronze: CHECK

-It does not come with tissue wraps: CHECK

-It is not stuck on the shoe with glue: CHECK

-Underneath the gold emblem is a separate piece of leather
that attaches it to the shoe and is held together by metal: CHECK

3. Seams and Stitches

-As all Tory Burch Revas are made using one piece of
leather/material, there should only be one seam which is located at the middle
of the heel area: CHECK

-No piecing together of material at the sides or front of
the shoes: CHECK

-The shoes are reinforced with a single running V-stitch all
around: CHECK

4. The Size Indicator

-The size sticker at the middle portion of each sole is
transparent and round: CHECK

-Size indicator font is gold and is represented as 5M/6M/7M
etc.: CHECK

-The size is not encircled and font is not too large: CHECK

5. Shoe Information

-Made in Brazil: CHECK

-The shoe information (size, code, materials used) are inscribed
on the toe area of each shoe: CHECK

-Does not describe the leather as “real leather”: CHECK

The Revas fortunately passed the authenticity test and I
have to say that they were truly meant for me after all. I received the Tory
Burch package last February 3 via Minette’s friend who came home from Singapore
to visit family and friends. I was super happy!

One can be instantly guaranteed of genuineness if the
merchandise was purchased directly from a Tory Burch outlet. But it does not
mean that we can only buy from an outlet. There are also legit
sellers/boutiques out there. As consumers, however, we must be very shrewd
before shelling out hard earned cash. Good thing, I didn’t learn the hard way.

I have been meaning to write about my husband’s go to salon
for quite some time but haven’t really felt a strong urge to do it except now.
I guess this would be the perfect timing because I just got my hair permed!

I’ve had my hair really short for years (I mean 2007-2012!). Only last year did I decide to grow it back
so I could change my look. Since then, it has remarkably grown from an
extremely short bob to layered locks just below my shoulders.

Whether I would get a rebond or a perm was my main concern. With
hair rebonding, I would surely be worrying about my wavy tresses growing out in
just a few months. Eventually, I would end up on a ponytail or a bun which is
contrary to my goal of just letting my hair down as much as I want. That is why
it didn’t take me too long to decide. I settled for a perm thinking that it
would make my naturally wavy hair a lot more manageable.

The next question was about getting a digital perm or a
traditional cold wave. But this was an even easier decision. The latter is way
cheaper, so, cold wave it is!

Two days ago, I went to Eksellente Hairdressing which my
hubby frequents for haircut, color, and treatment. Since he trusts them that
much, why shouldn’t I? There, I explained the look I would like to achieve and then
chose fairly large curling rods. The lady stylist, consequently, promised to
give me big, just-got-out-of-the-bed curls.

After the perm: just-got-out-of-the-bed curls

Before the perm: natural unruly waves

The process took more than 2 hours to complete. It took a
while for the curls to set which was kind of weird as I haven’t had my hair
treated in years. I began to feel anxious but still excited. Yet after the long
wait, I was super happy with the result.

Now all I need to do is to learn how to care for my newly
permed hair. This wouldn’t be too much of a deal as there’s pretty much a lot
of available information in the net. In fact, I am currently reading a really
helpful article (http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Permed-Hair).

I truly hope that my curls lock in place and stay on for 4-5
months as the stylist promised. I wouldn’t want to be disappointed because for
the first time in my life I have these outrageous curls!

Afternoons are usually my free time. But I am not the type of person who would
just sit dallying. So I always find things to do at home like tinker with old
stuff, ensure cabinets are well organized, or even inspect nooks and crannies
for spotlessness. Sometimes, though, there is really nothing else left to do
anymore. That’s why I've planned some projects for lazy afternoons.

For starters, I created a few collages using old
photographs, card boards, colored papers and stickers.

Lately, I've been busying myself with friendship bracelets.
I was actually inspired by my niece, Ira, to start this project. One time, I
chatted with my sister to ask how Ira was doing. She said that the little girl
was pretty engrossed making bracelets for her friends. Then memories of making
them, too, as a kid came flashing back. So I thought, why not revive the craft?

I immediately bought my first set of DMC threads then
searched the internet for patterns other than stripes and chevrons. Luckily, I came across Beyond Bracelets via
YouTube. The instructional videos are straightforward and easy to follow. In
fact, the patterns were intimidating at first but Beyond Bracelets made them
look so effortless to do! I realized that the process in creating each bracelet
is repetitive so I soon got the hang of it. Once I started tying the knots, I
just couldn't stop!

Because I enjoyed making them so much, I was able to make 14
bracelets for my girls in a span of just 10 days. My brother also requested 12
for himself so that’s what I am trying to accomplish now.

Next on my list is painting. Brushes and watercolor tubes
have been sitting on our bookstand, waiting for me. After I’m done with a few, I would probably be
sharing the experience, too. I can’t
wait!

Last October 2012 my sister-in-law came home from Singapore.
Seeing that she missed going to bazaars or tiangges, as we locally call them, I
suggested visiting the Sapatos Festival (Shoe Festival). She relished the idea,
so off we went to the exhibit center of SM City Marikina where the weekend shoe
expo was held.

Delighted by countless shoes right before us, I ended up getting
2 pairs - oxford shoes with tribal print (Php500) from Alligator Shoe Shop and
white sandals (Php150) from Jie-Jay’s. I also took note of Alligator Shoe Shop
proprietress’ contact details for future use. Who knows when I would be in need
of another pair, right?

Oxford shoes by Alligator Shoe Shop (Php500)

White sandals by Jie-Jay’s (Php150)

After about a week, I called up the Alligator Shoe owner to ask
when and where the following bazaar will be. She directed me to Patio delZapateros where Marikina shoe makers are regularly showcased. Next thing I knew,
I’ve plunged into another shopping spree. This time I got floral peep-toes for
my mom and beige ballet flats for my eldest daughter. Each priced at Php280.

Peep-toe flats by D&T (Php280)

Ballet flats by D&T (Php280)

The shoes are undeniably fabulous finds. They are topnotch
but inexpensive. Likewise, the comfort they give is truly remarkable. Never
again will I be skeptical about buying local hand-made shoes.

So whenever you visualize yourself wearing new boots,
stilettos, wedges, or flats… think of Marikina, too. Where else can you buy the
perfect pair but from the Shoe Capital of the Philippines!

**Patio del Zapateros
is located at JP Rizal Street, San Roque, Marikina (right beside the Shoe Museum
and across Our Lady of the Abandoned Church).